| Managing is difficult enough. But, leaders have to | | | | despite the fact that it immediately disqualifies one |
| predict what employees will think. Oh, and by the | | | | from getting many types of high-paying jobs. |
| way -- everyone is irrational. Dan Ariely has written a | | | | 3. An employee can be unique to a fault. |
| book on the subject, titled "Predictably Irrational:The | | | | Noting that Americans regard uniqueness as a |
| Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions." The name | | | | positive character trait, author Ariely notes that |
| of this new discipline is "behavioral economics." | | | | people with a need for uniqueness are sometimes |
| Although standard economics presumes humans to | | | | willing to sacrifice personal utility for "reputational" |
| be rational beings, Ariely believes we are not only | | | | utility. Fired anyone for blogging lately? |
| fundamentally irrational, but that we make the same | | | | 4. Never put off 'til tomorrow, what you can do |
| mistakes over and over. And you thought you | | | | today. |
| already had enough to think about. Here are 5 cool | | | | If college teaches us anything, it's how to postpone |
| ideas for managing irrational employees. | | | | writing a term paper until the night before it's due. |
| 1. Corporate security is not just for those on the | | | | Procrastination is alive and well in the workplace as |
| outside. | | | | employees delay problems involving customer |
| Employees are more likely to steal from their | | | | satisfaction. For all intents and purposes, eight people |
| employers than anyone else. Theft and fraud in the | | | | died aboard the space shuttle Challenger because |
| workplace costs American businesses around $600 | | | | employees postponed telling management that the |
| billion annually. By comparison, all robberies, burglaries, | | | | shuttle probably shouldn't take off in cold weather. |
| larceny and auto theft committed against strangers | | | | 5. When things are bad, there is much room for |
| cost about $16 billion in 2004. Stealing is a crime, so | | | | improvement. |
| it's especially intriguing to learn that it's easier for | | | | Ever wonder why employees decline to fully |
| most people to justify stealing when the pilfered item | | | | participate in your company's 401k program? Leaders |
| is one step removed from cash. Keep an eye on | | | | might think the concept of predictable irrationality to |
| those office supplies. | | | | be rather depressing, but the authoroffers many |
| 2. Tattoos cause more financial pain than physical | | | | suggestions for improving our situation. A program |
| discomfort. | | | | called, "save more tomorrow," allows employees to |
| A friend of mine refers to visible tattoos as "future | | | | save a percentage of future salary raises. |
| income limiters." Body art is as popular as ever, | | | | |